Dibenzofuryl ketones

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula WHICH POSSESS HYPOTENSIVE ACTIVITY AND ARE USEFUL FOR TREATING HYPERTENSION IN MAMMALS AND COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA WHICH ARE USEFUL AS INTERMEDIATES IN THE PREPARATION OF THE FOREGOING HYPOTENSIVE AGENTS AND ALSO IN SOME CASES EXHIBIT HYPOTENSIVE, SEDATIVE AND MUSCLE RELAXANT ACTIVITY AND PROCESSES FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE FOREGOING COMPOUNDS. In the foregoing formulas, NB is a primary or secondary amino radical and Y is (lower) alkylene.

United States Patent Hopps et al.

[45] Aug. 8, 1972 [54] DIBENZOFURYL KETONES [72] Inventors: Harvey B. Hopps, West Allis, Wis.; Dennis Jackman, University, Miss; John H. Biel, Lake Bluff, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc.,

Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: May 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.1 145,068

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 693,765, Dec.

27, 1967, abandoned, which is a continuationin-part of Ser. No. 605,995, Dec. 30, 1966,

abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 462,066, June 7, 1965, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..260/268 TR, 260/239 B, 260/247.7 A, 260/247.7 F, 260/268 P, 260/290 H,

260/294.7 C, 260/294.8 D, 260/297 R,

M, 260/563 R, 260/563 C, 260/578,

Primary Examiner-Donald G. Daus Attorney-Herbert W. Taylor, Jr., Robert E. I-Iavranek, Richard H. Brink and James Magee, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT Compounds of the formula which possess hypotensive activity and are useful for treating hypertension in mammals and compounds of the formula which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of the foregoing hypotensive agents and also in some cases exhibit hypotensive, sedative and muscle relaxant activity and processes for the preparation of the foregoing compounds. In the foregoing formulas, NB is a primary or secondary amino radical and Y is l lk l a y S Claims, No Drawings 1 DIBENZOFURYL KETONES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 462,066,

filed June 7, 1965 and now abandoned.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new class of therapeutic compounds. it is another object of the present invention to provide novel compounds having hypotensive activity. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process for preparing the novel therapeutic compounds and to provide intermediates useful in the preparation thereof. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a novel method of treating hypertension.

These and other objects which may appear as the specification proceeds are achieved by this invention which comprises the provision of compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds having the following formula both straight and branched chain alkylene radicals containing from one to eight carbon atoms, e.g. methylene,

ethylene, octylene, propylene, butylene, isobutylene, t-

butylene, amylene, hexylene, 2-ethyl-hexylene, etc.

The term (lower)alkyl as used herein means both straight and branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbonradicals containing from one to eight carbon atoms, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tbutyl, amyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, octyl, etc.

Similarly, where the term (lower) is used as part of the description of another group, e.g., (lower)alkoxy, it refers to the alkyl portion of such group which is therefore as described in connection with (lower)alkyl,

The term primary amino radical as used herein refers to a radical obtained by removing one hydrogen atom attached to the nitrogen atom of a primary amine, and thus comprises radicals of the formula.

---NHR wherein R is selected from the group consisting of (lower)alkyl, cycloalkyl having from three to seven carbon atoms, inclusive, B-phenyl-cyclopropyl, benzodioxan-Z-methylene, and radicals of the formula 0 di(lower)alkylamino,

(III) wherein n is a whole integer from O to 3 inclusive; and R and R each represent a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxy, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, trifluoromethyl, (lower)alkylthio, phenyl, phenoxy and benzyl. The term primary amino radical" therefore includes for example, such radicals as methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, hexylamino, cyclopropylamino, cyclopentylamino, cyclohexylamino, cycloheptylamino, phenylamino, benzylamino, p-methoxyphenylamino, o-chlorobenzylamino, benzodioxan-Z- methyleneamino, Bphenethylamino, 2,4-dimethylphenylamino and the like.

The term secondary amino radical refers to a radical obtained by removing one hydrogen atom attached to the nitrogen atom of a secondary amine, and thus comprises radicals of the formula (IV) R4 wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of (lower)alkyl, cycloalkyl having from three to seven carbon atoms inclusive, fi-phenylcyclopropyl, benzodioxan -2-methylene, and radicals of the formula wherein n is a whole integer from 0 to 3 inclusive; and

R and R each represent hydrogen, (lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxy, chloro, bromo, fiuoro, iodo, trifluoromethyl, di( lower)alkylamino, (lower )-alkylthio, phenyl, phenoxy and benzyl, and when R, and R are taken together with and RIO

wherein R and R each represent hydrogen, (lower)alkyl or hydroxy, R represents hydrogen, (lower)alkyl, hydroxy. or a radical of the formula (XII) R" kylthio, phenyl, phenoxy and benzyl; R represents (lower )-alkyl,hydroxy or a radical of the formula wherein R and R, each represent a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxy, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, trifluoromethyl, di(lower)alkylamino, (lower)alkylthio, phenyl, phenoxy and benzyl. The term secondary amino radical therefore includes for example, such radicals as pyrrolidino, 3-hydroxypyrrolidino, piperidino, 4-hydroxypiperidino, 4-phenyl-l,2,5,6- tetrahydropyridino, 4-phenylpiperazino, 4-(o-methoxy)phenylpiperazino, 4-methylpiperazino, morpholino, Z-methylmorpholino, hexamethyleneimino, 2,4- dimethylhexarnethyleneimino, 4-phenylpiperidino, l ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylarnino, di-n-butylamino, diisoamylamino, dibenzylamino, diphenylamino, dicyclopropylamino, dicyclopentyl-amino, dicyclohexylamino, dicycloheptylamino, N-benzyl-N-cyclopropylamino N methyl-N p-trifluoromethylphenyl)amino, N-methyl-N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)arnino, N- benzodioxan-2-methylene-N-methyl-amino and the like.

The compounds of this invention having the structure described in' formula I and some of the compounds of formula XVIII, ile. those of the formula (XIV) wherein R is lower)alkyl described hereinafter, produce a potent and prolonged blood pressure lowering effect in mammals which makes them useful in the treatment of hypentension.

Tests of the-compounds of the 'present invention for hypotensive activity were carried out inrats and dogs. When, for example, N-[y-hydroxy-y-(Z-dibenzofuryl)butyl]-4-phenyll 2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride" was administered orally in rats at dosages of mgm./kg., a reduction in arterial blood pressure was obtained of greater than 10 percent. When ,2-[4-(o-methoxyphenylpiperazino)-butyroylldibenzofuran was administered orally in dogs at dosages of 'mgm/kg a reduction in arterial blood pressure was obtained of greater-than 10 percent.

Some of the compounds of formula XVIII, i.e. those of the formula I K \0/ v v i I ,0

,wherein R is (lower)alkyl described hereinafter possess sedative activity and muscle relaxant activity making them useful as minor tranquilizers in mammals.

The muscle relaxant activity of the compounds was determined by pressing the abdomen and flexing the hind limbs of the treated mouse, Limb tone and grip strength were further checked by placing the mice on a vertical pole. A mouse treated with a muscle relaxant drug shows little if any resistance to flexing or abudominal tone, and is unable to climb the pole or to maintain itself on the pole. Doses as low as mg./kg. p.o. of a preferred compound 2-[B-( N-o-methoxyphenyl)piperazino]propionyl dibenzofuran in mice produced muscle relaxant activity.

The sedative activity of the compounds was evaluated by the behavioral depression test. In the behavioral depression test, treated mice are observed in an undisturbed condition for signs of behavioral depression and are checked for their reaction to selected auditory, nociceptive and tactile stimuli. At the same time, a subjective evaluation of spontaneous motor activity is made. When, for example, a preferred compound 2[B-(N-o-methoxyphenyl)piperazino] propionyldibenzofuran was tested, it exhibited sedative activity at doses as low as 75 mg./kg. p.o. The LD for the compound is greater than 3,000 mg./kg.

A preferred group of compounds of formula I are those of the formula Y Ra r OH I 0 Q Ru 2 wherein 11 ,11 R and Y are a described above; A

more preferred group of compoundsare those of the formula I (XVII) Ra u I on 1; r n r r Q v RU R0 v I o wherein R3, R,-R, R and Y are as described above.

l 2-dibenzofuryl)-2-( Z-benzodioxanmethyleneamino)propanol,

l-( Z-dibenmfuryl )-2-cyclopropylaminopropanol,

1 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-diethyla.minobutanol,

l-( 2-dibenzofuryl)-2-( 4-phenyl- I ,2,5 ,6-

tetrahydropyridino)-ethanol,

1 2-dibenzofuryl)-3-( 4-phenyll ,2,5 ,6-

tetrahydropyridino)-propanol,

1-(2-dibenzofuryl)-4-(4-phenyl-1,2,5 ,6-

tetrahydropyridino)butanol, l-(2-dibenzofuryl)-2-(4-phenylpiperazino)ethanol, l-(2-dibenzofuryl)-2-( 4-o-methoxyphenylpiperazino)ethanol,

l-(2-dibenzofuryl)-3-( 4-o-methoxyphenylpiperazino)propanol,

l-( 2-dibenzofuryl)-4-(4-o-methoxyphenylpiperazino)butanol,

l Z-dibenzofuryl )-4-morpholinobutanol,

1-(2-dibenzofuryl)-4-( l,2,5,6-

tetrahydropyridino)butanol,

l 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-piperidinobutanol,

l 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-pyrrolidinobutanol,

1 Z-dibenzofuryl )-4-hexamethyleneiminobutanol,

l-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 3-hydroxypyrrolidino)butanol,

1 2-dibenzofuryl)-2-( 4-2,4-dimethylphenyl piperidino)ethanol and l-(2-dibenzofuryl)-4-(2,4,6-trirnethylpiperazino)butanol.

The compounds of the present invention are prepared according to the following general procedure which consists of reducing an aminoketone of the formula wherein Y and NB are as represented above, to an aminoalcohol of formula I. The reduction may be effected chemically or by catalytic means. Some of the chemical reducing agents which may be used are sodium borohydride in a hydroxylic solvent such as methanol or ethanol or lithium aluminum hydride in anhydrous ethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran. Catalysts such as platinum, platinum oxide, platinum-on-a-carrier and hydrogen at elevated pressures (30 3,000 p.s.i.) are capable of reducing the arninoketone of formula XVIII to the aminoalcohol of formula I. In the case of an unsaturated aminoketone (e.g., where NB is 4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridino or l,2,5,6- tetrahydropyridino), the preferred method of reduction is the sodium borohydride procedure.

The novel aminoketones of formula XVIII, which are intermediates for the preparation of the aminoalcohols of this invention (formula I), are considered a part of the present invention and are prepared by the following series of reactions.

A. Dibenzofuran is reacted with a compound of the fonnula wherein X and Y are as described above. The foregoing described reaction is the F riedel-Crafts reaction, and may be represented as follows:

wherein X and Y are as described above.

Representative of the haloketones formed in this manner are 2-( 2-chloroacetyl)dibenzofuran,

2-( 3-chloropropionyl )dibenzofuran,

2-(4-chlorobutyroyl)dibenzofuran,

2-(3-bromobutyroyl)dibenzofuran, and

2-( 2-chloropropionyl)dibenzofuran.

B. Amination of the haloketone prepared in Reaction A with a primary or secondary amine of the formula (XXI) HNB wherein NB is as described above, in a nonreactive solvent such as dimethylformamide, methylisobutylketone, dimethylsulfoxide and toluene in the presence of an acid acceptor such as potassium carbonate, aminopyrine, N-ethyl-N-butylaniline and pyridine and preferably a catalyst such as potassium iodide produces the desired arninoketone of formula XVIII. This reaction may be represented as follows:

Z-methylaminomethylpyrrolidine,

3-hydroxypyrrolidine,

piperidine, 4-hydroxypiperidine,

4-phenyll ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridine,

4-phenyl-4-hydroxypiperidine,

4-(o-methoxyphenyDpiperazine and 4-phenylpiperazine.

Representative of the aminoketones formed in this manner are 2-(3-isopropylaminopropionyl)dibenzofuran,

2-( 3-B-phenethylaminopropionyl )dibenzofuran,

2-(4-piperidinobutyroyl)dibenzofuran,

2-[4-(4-phenyll ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridino)butyroyl ]dibenzofuran,

2-[ 3 4-phenylpiperazino)propionyl1dibenzofuran,

2-[4-(4-o-methoxyphenylpiperazino)butyroyl ]dibenzofuran,

2- [4-( 2-benzodioxanmethyleneamino )butyroyl ]dibenzofuran,

2-[4-(N Z-benZenedioXanmethyIene-N- methylamino)butyroyl1dibenzofuran,

2-(3-cyclopropylaminopropionyl)dibenzofuran,

2-( 2-isopropylaminoacetyl)dibenzofuran,

2-(2-B-phenylcyclopropylaminoacetyl)dibenzofuran, 2-(2-[3-phenylisopropylaminoacetyl)dibenzofuran and 2-[ 2-(13-3 ,4-methylenedioxyphenylisopropylamino)a cetyl]dibenzofuran.

The novel aminoketones of formula XVIII wherein Y is CI-I CH which are intermediates for the preparation of the corresponding aminoalcohols of this invention (foremula I) are also prepared by the following series of reactions.

In essence, it involves a Friedel-Crafts reaction of dibenzofuran with acetyl chloride to produce the 2- acetyl-dibenzofuran. The latter is then subjected to a Mannich reaction with dimethylamine and the Mannich base quaternized with methyl iodide. The quaternary ammonium salt is allowed to react with. the corresponding amine (HNB) to yield the desired amino ketone. I

The reaction is particularly useful for producing the novel arninoketones of formula XV L16. where HNB is wherein Ris (lower)alkyl which possess sedative and muscle relaxant activity and are useful as minor tranquilizers.

The starting materials used in the processes described herein are compounds which are either commercially available, well known in the art, or easily prepared in accordance with standard organic procedures previously described in the chemical literature.

The compounds of this invention may be administered as the free bases or in the form of their nontoxic addition salts. They may be compounded and formulated into pharmaceutical preparations in unit dosage form for oral or parenteral administrationwith organic or inorganic solid materials or liquids which are pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. The compositions may take the form of tablets, powder granules, capsules, suspensions, solutions and the like. Such compositions are considered within the scope of this invention.

The compositions of this invention when administered orally or parenterally, in an effective amount are eflective in the treatment of hypertension and in producing sedation and muscle relaxation in mammals. The novel compounds of this invention may be advantageously administered at a dosage range from about 5 mg./kg. to about 1,000 mgJkg; per day, preferably in subdivided amounts on a two to four times a day regimen. Typically treatment in man is begun at about one-seventh the animal minimum effective dose and then increased or decreased as required.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention described herein without unduly restricting it.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 2-(4-Chlorobutyroyl)dibenzofuran A mixture of dibenzofuran gm, 0.43 mol) and 500 ml. of dry benzene was treated with anhydrous aluminum chloride (61 gm, 0.46 mol) and then 4- chlorobutyroyl chloride (65 gm., 0.46 mol).*After 5 minutes, a vigorous reaction began which required cooling. The mixture was allowed to' stand at room temperature for 5 hours and then poured onto crushed ice. After 0.5 hours, ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, and then the organic layer was removed, washed with potassium carbonate solution and water, and dried over calcium chloride. The solvent was removed under vacuum to yield 101 gm. of an oil which solidified on cooling. This material was recrystallized from 300 ml. of methanol to give 62 gm. of the product, 2-(4- chlorobutyroyl)dibenzofuran, m.p. 83-90 C.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of2-[ -(4-Phenyl-l,2,5,6- tetrahydropyridino)butyroyl] A mixture of 4-phenyl-l ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (l6 gm., 0.] mol), potassium carbonate (l3.8 gm., 0.1 mol), potassium iodide (2 gm., 0.015 mol), 2-(4- chlorobutyroyl)dibenzofuran (28 gm., 0.1.mol), and 60 ml. of dimethylformamide was heated at reflux overnight, and then poured into 300 ml. of water. A red oil separated which solidified. This material was filtered and recrystallized from ethanol to give 25 gm. of the product, 2-[y-(4-phenyll ,2,5 ,6- tetrahydropyridino)butyroyl] l07l08 C.

tetrahydropyridino butyroyl] 2 napthtalene sulfonate was made in hot isopropanol, m.p. 223224 C.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of N-[y-Hydroxy-y-(2-dibenzofuryl)-butyl]-4-phenyl-l ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridine Hydrochloride [Also known herein as l-( Z-dibenzofuryl )-4-(4-phenyl-l ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydrpy1idino)butanol] A mixture of 2-[7-(4-phenyl-l ,2,5,6- tetrahydropyridino)-butyroyl]dibenzofuran gm, 0.012 mol) and sodium borohydride (1 gm., 0.025 mol) in dry ethanol'was refluxed for 5 hours, then allowed to stand for 48 hours. The solvent was removed, and 40 ml. of water was added. The product was filtered, washed with water, and recrystallized from ethanol to give 4 gm. of N-['yhydroxy-'y( 2-dibenzofuryl)butyl]-4-phenyl-l ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine, m.p. 120-l22 C. A solution of 2.8 gm. of the compound in 10 ml. of ethanol was then treated with 5 ml. of 2.08 N ethanolic hydrochloric acid rapidly. The solution cleared, and after 2 minutes the N-[y-hydroxy-y-(Z- dibenzofuryl)butyl]-4-phenyl-l ,2,5 ,6- tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride crystallized, mp. 18 l-l 82 C.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 2-(4-Piperidinobutyroyl)dibenzofuran Hydrochloride A mixture of piperidine (4.5 gm, 0.05 mol), potassium carbonate (7 gm., 0.05 mol), potassium iodide (9 gm., 0.05 mol), 2-(4-chlorobutyroyl)dibenzofuran (13.6 gm, 0.05 mol), and 150 ml. of dimethylformamide was refluxed (temperature 142 C.) for 24 hours, then poured into 500 ml. of water. After 2 hours, the aqueous solution was extracted with ether, the ether layer was washed with water, dried, and

evaporated to yield 14 gm. of a dark oil. This was pu- EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of l Z-Diberizofuryl )-4-piperidinobutanol A mixture of 3.6 gm. of 2-(4-piperidinobutyroyl)- dibenzofuran hydrochloride in methanol solution was reduced with 2 gm. of sodium borohydride. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand overnight. The solution was evaporated, and the residue shaken with water plus ether. The ether layer was dried over potassium carbonate and evaporated to give 3.3 gm. of the base 1- (2-dibenzofuryl)-4-piperidinobutanol in the form of a light yellow oil. IR showed no but -OH. the base was converted to the hydrochloride salt by treating the ethanol solution (10 ml. at OH) of the base with 13 ml. of 0.77 N ethanolic hydrochloric acid .01 mol) and adding heptane, and scratching. The product l-(2-dibenzofuryl)-4-piperidinobutanol hydrochloride crystallized, weight 2.6 gm. M.P.

l89-l90 C.; after recrystallization from ethanol, m.p.

EXAMPLE 6 When, in the procedure of Example 2, 4-phenyll,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine is replaced by an equal molar amount of l ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine,

2-hydroxyl ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridine,

4-methyl-l ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridine,

5 -methyl- 1 ,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine,

2,5-dimethyll ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridine,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4- N-rnethyl-N-( B-phenylcyclopropyl )amino -butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 2,6-dichlorophenylamino)butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 4- dimethylarninobenzylamino)butanol,

1-( Z-dibenzofuryl )-4-( dibenzylamino )butanol,

l-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( phenethylamino )butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-(4-trifluoromethylphenylamino )butanol, I

1 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( N-ethyl-N-2,4-diethylphenylamino )butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-(phenylisopropylamino )butanol, 1

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 2-methoxybenzylamino)butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 2-bromophenylamino)butanol,

1-(2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 3-fluorophenylamino )butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 2-iodophenylamino)butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-[N-benzyl-N-( 4-phenylpheny1)amino]butano1,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl)-4-( 3-phenoxyphenylamino)butanol,

1 2-dibenzofuryl )4-( 4-benzylphenylari1ino )butanol and l-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-4-( 4-ethylthiophenylamino)butanol, respectively.

EXAMPLE 12 When, in the procedure of Example 3, 2-[y-(4-phenyl- 1 ,2,5 ,6-tetrahydropyridino )butyroyl ]dibenzofuran is replaced by an equal molar amount of each of the products of Example 9, there are obtained,

l-(2-dibenzofuryl)-2-(4-phenyl-1,2,5 ,6-

tetrahydropyridino)ethanol, 1-(2-dibenzofuryl) 3-(4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-

tetrahydropyridino )propanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl)-2-( 4-phenyl-l ,2,5 ,6-

tetrahydropyridino )butanol,

1-( 2-dibenzofuryl )-3-( 4-phenyll ,2,5 ,6-'

tetrahydropyridino)butano1,

1-( Z-dibenzofuryl )-2-( -4phenyll ,2,5 ,6-

tetrahydropyridino)propanol,

1-(2-dibenzofury1)-6-(4-phenyl-1,2,5 ,6-

tetrahydropyridino)hexanol, and

1-(2-dibenzofuryl)-8-(4-phenyl- 1 ,2,5,6-

tetrahydropyridino)octanol, respectively.

EXAMPLE 13 Preparation of 2-[4-(o-Methoxyphenylpiperazino)-butyroyl]dibenzofuran A mixture of 2-('y-chlorobutyroyl)-dibenzofuran ketone (150 ml.) was heated at reflux with stirring for about 65 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated to give 15 g. of an oil which solidified. The solid was recrystallized from ethanol twice to give a solid, 2-[4-(o-methoxyphenylpiperazino)-butyroyl]-dibenzofuran, m.p. l40-l42.5 C., yield, 5.16 g. An analytical sample gave m.p. l43l44 C. Anal. Calcd. for C T-1 N 0 6.54. Found: C, 75.60; H, 6.57; N, 6.34. a

While this invention has been described and exemplified in terms of its preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

C, 75.67; H, 6.59: N.

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of 2 -[B-(N'-o-Methoxyphenyl)piperazaino]propionyldibenzofiiran By the procedure of Example 1 dibenzofuran was reacted with 3-ch1oropropionyl chloride to produce 2- (3-chloropropionyl)dibenzofuran, which in turn was reacted according to, Example 2 with N-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazine to produce 2-[B(N'-o-methoxyphenyl)piperazino]propionyldibenzofuran. The product was obtained as a white solid which was collected by filtration melting at 147.5148.5 C. An infrared spectrum showed peaks at 6.0 and 8.06 t. The sample purified for analysis melted at 149l49.5 C. Anal. Calcd. for C H O N C, 75.34; H, 6.32; N, 6.76.

Found: C, 75.27; H, 6.14; N, 6.82.

EXAMPLE 15 Alternate Procedure for Preparation of 2-[B-(N'-o- Methoxyphenyl)piperazino](A) 2-Acetyldibenzofuran This compound was obtained by a standard Friedel- Crafts reaction as described under Example 1 by reacting dibenzofuran with acetyl chloride and aluminum chloride. The product was distilled at l35l45 C./0.08 mm weighed 133 g. .(63 percent yield). The solid gave mp 6769 C. (lit. -8l C.) but one recrystallization from methanol gave mp 74-75.5 C. with no loss. References: N.P. Buii-Hoy and R. Royer, Rec. trav. chim. 69, 861 (1950); CA. 45, 3832 (1951); Galewsky Ann., 264, 189; Beilstein 17, 363 (1933).

(B) B-Dimethylamino-Z-propionyl-dibenzofuran Hydrochloride A mixture of Z-acetyI-dibenzofuran (21.0 g., 0.1 M), dimethylamine hydrochloride (8.2 g., 0.1 M) Paraformaldehyde (3.0 g., 0.1 M) and acetic acid (30 ml.) was heated on the steam bath for 1.5 hours, then concentrated. The residue was triturated with acetone (50 ml.) to give a white solid. The product was recrystallized from ethanol; when dry, it weighed 16.0 g. (53 While this invention has been described and exampercent yield); mp l95l96 C. An infrared spectrum plified in terms of its preferred embodiment, those showed a strong peak at 5.98 t. A sample was conskilled in the art will appreciate that modifications can verted to the base to give a solid which after recrystalbe made without departing from the spirit and scope of lization from isopropanol melted at 85-86 C. this invention.

Anal. Calcd for C H O N: C, 76.38; H, 6.41; N, We claim:

5.24. l. A compound selected from the group consisting of Found: C, 76.13; H, 6.25; N, 5.54. compounds ofthe formula (C) fi-Dimethylamino-2propionyl-dibenzofuran Methiodide 0 B-Dimethylamino-2-propionyl-dibenzofuran JL T hydrochloride (12.5 g., 0.041 1 M) was placed in dilute l sodium carbonate solution and extracted with ether. 1)

The ether extract was dried over anhydrous potassium \0/ carbonate. The dry ethereal extract was added dropwise under anhydrous conditions to a solution of methyliodide (13.96 g., 0.098 M) in ether (50 ml.) over a period of 45 minutes. The mixture was stirred at thereof room temperature for 64 hours. Then the white solid was collected; when dry, it weighed 14.6 g. *87 percent A compound of chum 1 having the formula yield), mp 200202 C.

(D) 2-[,B(N'-o-Methoxyphenyl)piperazino]propionyldibenzofuran [j 2 wherein R is (lower)alkyl, and Y is (lower)alkylene;

A mixture of the quaternary salt, B-dimethylamino- 2-propionybdibenzofuran methiodide, (7.0 g., 0.0171 M), N-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (3.28 g., 0.0171 M), anhydrous sodium carbonate (3.62 g., 0.0342 M) and dimethylfofmamide was Stirred y means wherein R is (lower)alkyl and the pharmaceutically acof a vibromixer. The stirred system was swept with bl nontoxic salts h f nitrogen for 7.5 hours. The mixture was then poured in 3, Th compound f cl im 1 having the formula cold water (300 ml.). A white solid separated; it was collected by filtration, washed with water and recrystallized from ethanol to give 4.40 g. (62 percent yield), mp 147.5-148.5 C. An infrared spectrum -()Cll10l[zClIz- N showed peaks at 6.0 and 8.06. A sample purified for analysis melted at 149149.5 C. \O/

Anal. Calcd for C H O N z C, 75.34; H, 6.32; N, 6.76. Found: C, 75.27; H, 6.14; N, 6.82. 40

EXAMPLE 16 When in the procedure of Example 15, N-(oo methoxyphenyl)piperazine is replaced by 0.0171 mole L of l 2 I CIlsO 4. A compound of claim 1 having the formula N-(o-ethoxyphenyl)piperazine R0 N-(o-propoxyphenyl)piperazine N-(o-isopropoxyphenyl)piperazine N-(o-butoxyphenyl )piperazine and N-(o-t-butoxyphenyl)piperazine wherein R is (lower)alkyl and the pharmaceutically acthere are obtained ceptable nontoxic salts thereof.

2-[B-(N-o-ethoxyphenyl)piperazino1propionyl- 5. The compound of claim 1 having the formula dibenzofuran 2-[,B-(N-o-propoxyphenyl)piperazino]propionyl- 5 dibenzofuran 5 E 2-[B-(N'-o-is0propoxyphenyl)piperazino1propionyl- CH1CHFN\ dibenzofuran (limo 2-[fi-(N-o-butoxyphenyl)piperazino]propionyldibenzofuran and 2-[B-(N'-o-t-butoxyphenyl)piperazinolpropionyldibenzofuran respectively.

and the pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic salts v 

2. A compound of claim 1 having the formula wherein R is (lower)alkyl and the pharmaceutically acceptAble nontoxic salts thereof.
 3. The compound of claim 1 having the formula
 4. A compound of claim 1 having the formula wherein R is (lower)alkyl and the pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic salts thereof. wherein R is (lower)alkyl and the pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic salts thereof.
 5. The compound of claim 1 having the formula 